Kris is leaving us

[Ambroise]

BikersPost is no more a Ning site, but a SocialEngine site.
(I'm not sure it's SocialEngine but I'm sure it's anymore Ning)

What do you think of it ?
Do you think SocialEngine is a good alternative for big communitis like BikersPost (50000 members)?  It's very similar to Facebook.

I have 9000 members. I think Ning is the best choice for me now...

http://www.socialengine.com
http://www.bikerspost.com

[Kris]

Well let be the first to respond (-;

We are in fact moving off the Ning platform, not something I'm entirely looking fwd too. But the time as come for us to leave the nest.

It really depends on the needs of the community. Each one is like DNA, no two are a like.

[Jen]

Hi Kris,

Don't be a stranger. Let me know if you need anything. =) Wishing you all the best.

Best Regards,

Jen

[Kris]

Jen when I make my second million I'll hire you has full time dev

I haven't given up on my first million (-;

[Jen]

Me too. ;-)

Sounds good, would love to have a good reason to dig into SE. Good luck! I do believe you'll make the first, and more.

[Troy D. Bertrand]

Didn't think it got much better than Ning but apparently I may be wrong. But with a price tag like that it better be...

Best Wishes Kris

TDB

[Anthony]

I"m also thinking about transitioning to other platform. Ning have a great platform, but some how, I feel restricted when it comes to advancement.  I need more freedom, the same type of freedom one gets from a WordPress platform. 

I'm using Ning from 2007, or 2008 and I feel stagnant...Ning need to open their platform so software developers can creator all sort of plugins. So, if I need someone, I just buy a plugin, now, I have to wait months, or even years for a feature.

Kris, which platform you move to, and were you able to transfer all your content and able to keep your backlinks, and search engine ranking?.?

[Trieu Thanh Tuan]

Me too. I consider to move to SocialEngine. I've with Ning for almost 1 year, but just some small update. No new plug-in (extension), no new theme, no worth app,...sadly.

[Thiago Santos de Moraes]

This conversation makes no sense to me. Ning is the best company in its niche and has the right features for a social network. App´s and plugins are just accessories. The focus must be in content and, with this, you will have success.

[Robin]

I think the reason people want plugins etc. is because if offers more options to entertain their readers and invites them to stay on the site longer. For example, Ning kind of lags when other site have all the bells and whistles. For example, I have seen a ton of sites that are able to use Facebook commenting within their platform. As far as I know there is no EASY way to do that with Ning. Also with some platforms you don't have to pay to have a restricted site where you have paying members have access to certain material. It's just a given. No choice of different looking templates unless you hire a developer and some you have a whole host of different looks. Ning you have the same basic look then you just change the colors etc. and column line ups.  Agree with Anthony that they should open up the code a bit to let developers develop for the site. That is why Wordpress was and is so popular.

I don't mind paying for the hosting at all w/ Ning. It's just the limitations on things I think could make my site better and help make my community productive.

[Phyllis Freeeman]

I would love to hear more about SocialEngine.com  How was it to migrate data from Ning?  I am tired of Ning's screw ups (like the RSS feeds currently being down). 

[Kris]

Here is the bottom line unless your prepared to spend what you spend on Ning per year every month SocialEnigne isn't for you. Are expense has gone from $500/yr w/ Ning to a cost of 2k/mo (only hosting).

[Rowald]

2K? Every month?